Benicar is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (sometimes called an ARB). Olmesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Benicar is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children at least 6 years old.

Benicar is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications.

Warnings

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using Benicar and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Olmesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

If you have diabetes, do not take Benicar with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine – brand names include Amturnide, Tekturna, and Tekamlo).

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Benicar if you are allergic to olmesartan.

If you have diabetes, do not use Benicar together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

You may also need to avoid taking Benicar with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

To make sure Benicar is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a heart condition other than one being treated with Benicar;
• kidney disease; or
• if you are on a low salt diet.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Olmesartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

If you plan to get pregnant, ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use before and during pregnancy. Having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications in the mother and the baby.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

How should I take Benicar?

Take Benicar exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

You may take Benicar with or without food.

For a child who cannot swallow a tablet whole, a pharmacist can mix the medicine into a liquid.

Shake the liquid before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Olmesartan doses are based on weight in children and/or teenagers. Your child’s dose needs may change if the child gains or loses weight.

Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking Benicar.

It may take up to 2 weeks before your blood pressure is under control. Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. Treatment may also include diet, exercise, lowering cholesterol, not smoking, and controlling diabetes.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your kidney function may also need to be checked.

Store tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store the liquid in a refrigerator. Throw away any liquid leftover after 4 weeks.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

20 mg orally once a day; may increase dose to 40 mg in two weeks if further blood pressure reduction is needed.

Maximum dose: 40 mg orally once a day

Comments:
-For patients with possible intravascular volume depletion (e.g., patients treated with diuretics, especially those with impaired renal function), initiate this drug under close supervision and give consideration to a lower starting dose.
-Twice daily dosing offers no additional benefit over the same total dose give once daily.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:

6 to 16 years:
-20 to less than 35 kg: 10 mg orally once a day; may increase dose to 20 mg in two weeks if further blood pressure reduction is needed
-35 kg or more: 20 mg orally once a day; may increase dose to 40 mg in two weeks if further blood pressure reduction is needed

Comments:
-For children who cannot swallow tablets, the same dose can be given using an extemporaneously compounded oral suspension.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

Overdose symptoms may include fast heartbeats or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking Benicar?

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Benicar side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Benicar: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• little or no urination;
• severe diarrhea and weight loss; or
• high potassium level – nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement.

Benazepril is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure in adults and children at least 6 years old.

Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Benazepril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Benazepril side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, severe stomach pain, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Benazepril may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• kidney problems–swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath;
• high blood potassium–nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement; or
• liver problems–loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of benazepril may include:

• headache; or
• cough.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Warnings

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using benazepril and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used with benazepril.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use benazepril if you are allergic to it or to any other ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor such as captopril, fosinopril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.

Do not take benazepril within 36 hours before or after taking medicine that contains sacubitril (such as Entresto).

If you have diabetes, do not use benazepril together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

Do not take benazepril if you have a history of angioedema (severe allergic reaction).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, heart problems such as a recent heart attack;
• stomach pain;
• low blood pressure;
• if you are on a low-salt diet;
• diabetes;
• liver disease; or
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).

You may also need to avoid taking benazepril with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Benazepril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you use the medicine during your second or third trimester.

Do not breastfeed.

How should I take benazepril?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take benazepril with or without food.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking benazepril. This can lead to very low blood pressure, an electrolyte imbalance, or kidney failure.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need frequent blood tests. Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and other medications. Follow your doctor’s instructions very carefully.

Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery.

Keep using benazepril even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Benazepril dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: With a diuretic: 5 mg orally once a day; without a diuretic: 10 mg orally once a day
Maintenance dose: 20 to 40 mg/day orally as a single dose or in two equally divided doses
Maximum dose: 80 mg/day

Comments:
-The divided dose regimen was more effective in controlling pre-dosing blood pressure.
-If discontinuing a diuretic prior to initiating this drug to reduce the likelihood of hypotension, conclude diuretic therapy 2 to 3 days prior to starting this drug.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:

6 YEARS OR OLDER:
Initial dose: 0.2 mg/kg orally once a day as monotherapy
Maximum dose: 0.6 mg/kg; 40 mg/day

Comments:
-Doses between 0.1 and 0.6 mg/kg once a day have been studied; doses greater than 0.1 mg/kg were shown to reduce blood pressure; doses above 0.6 mg/kg or 40 mg/day have not been studied in pediatric patients.
-Prepare a suspension for pediatric patients who cannot swallow tablets or for whom the calculated dosage does not correspond to available tablet strengths.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

What should I avoid while taking benazepril?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Do not take potassium supplements or use salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

What other drugs will affect benazepril?

Benazepril can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, or osteoporosis.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• a diuretic or “water pill” that may increase blood potassium such as spironolactone, triamterene, or amiloride;
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)–aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others;
• insulin or diabetes medications;
• medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection such as temsirolimus, sirolimus, or everolimus; or
• heart or blood pressure medication.